Mute

Chapter 12 : School visit

Chapter 12

The next day...   

Riker POV

I felt super anxious all the way to school. My heart wouldn't stop racing and I just felt really panicky.

Mark walked me inside and brought me to the main office. He had to sign a bunch of papers, I guess to get me registered.

I was starting to zone out and get kind of dizzy from my nerves. I think my slight hyperventilating was making me dizzy.

"Hey."

I looked up, seeing Rocky.

"You ok? You look really pale, Riker," he said.

I went over to him and hugged him. He hugged me back tight.

"Riker, you're shaking. What's wrong? Let's sit down for a second."

He took me to the chairs in the front of the office and we sat down next to each other. Rocky put his arm around me and I leaned my head on his shoulder. But I still felt panicky.

"What's wrong? Are you just anxious?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Is there anything I can do?"

I shook my head no.

"Just try to take some deep breaths, ok? It'll help you calm down."

I shut my eyes. I don't think I can calm down. School always makes me anxious no matter what.

"I know something that might make you feel better. So you know how Ross has been being annoying lately?"

I nodded.

"Well me and dad didn't tell him that you guys were coming here this afternoon, so he has to take the bus home. But I get to hang out with you and go home with dad instead."

I smiled slightly.

"I got you to smile, see? It's not so bad at school. I promise, Riker. And I'll be here too, so if you ever need anything, just text me and I can try to help you between classes or at lunch or something. But I think you'll be fine."

"Ready, boys?" Mark asked.

We stood up and followed him out of the office. He handed my schedule to Rocky.

"Alright, so let's go find your locker first. This is where you're going to want to go first thing in the morning and then at the end of the day so you can drop off any books you don't need," Rocky said.

He led us down the halls until we got to my locker. Rocky showed me how to open it.

He showed me where each of my classes was too. But I felt very lost. All the halls look basically the same to me.

We left and got in Mark's car. Rocky sat in the back with me.

When we got back, Rocky took me to the kitchen to get a snack.

"Where were you? You weren't on the bus," Ross said.

"I know. I was with dad and Riker. I showed him around the school and helped him find his classes and locker," Rocky said.

"Why didn't you tell me? I could've stayed too."

"Well you've been kind of mean to Riker," Rocky said.

"I have not been mean."

"Yeah, you have."

"No, I haven't, Rocky."

"You said he's just a foster kid and won't be here forever twice."

"That's a true statement."

"Doesn't matter. It's not nice."